Imagine this: You’ve just won your first trophy, the adrenaline’s pumping, the joy is overflowing, and you can’t wait to show it off. You rush to your coach, expecting a pat on the back, a proud smile, and maybe even some words of praise. But instead, what happens? Your coach takes that shiny trophy—and smashes it to the floor! Sounds like a nightmare, right? Well, for Taylor Townsend, this was no dream. It was her reality.
Townsend started playing tennis under the guidance of Donald Young Sr., who is the father of his partner at the US Open mixed doubles final, Donald Young. When she participated in the tournament called Little Mo, which was meant for kids of her age, she could not take her eyes off the grand-sized runner-up trophy that she saw at the venue. The tournament was also known for giving out big-sized trophies to the winners.
Speaking in an interview in 2021, the WTA star said, “In my head, I had already made it. I was just like, Oh my gosh, I get a big-ass trophy — that’s it. Townsend was around seven years old when she won her first trophy in tennis at the tournament. However, her coach was not happy with her success. “ I played terrible, and got second place. But then I came off the court….. and there was no high fives or nothing. Mr. Young wasn’t even cross, he was just matter-of-fact. He looked at me and he was like, ‘You just wasted your time. You’re so happy to get that second-place trophy, you don’t even realize you should’ve won first place’.”
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For the unversed, Donald Young Sr, and his wife Ilona Young ran a tennis center in Atlanta, Georgia, where they trained several budding talents including Townsend. While the words of the tennis coach could have been enough to break the heart of any player, Young Sr. added fuel to the fire with a tough decision. “Then he asks me to give him the trophy — and he hands it to Donald Jr., his son who’s with us. And he tells Donald Jr. to go out to the parking lot and smash it.” Donald Young Jr followed the instructions of his father and did the same.
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He even got the permission of Townsend’s mother, who was also the childhood friend of the coach, to do the needful. “I remember just standing there, like….. mouth open. Mostly mad about losing my big-ass trophy, and about how Donald Jr. did me like that, more than learning any lesson really.” But growing up, Townsend realized the meaning of the act.
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She stated that she did not hold any grudge against the coach. “It was about someone believing in me, and investing in me, and pushing me to be excellent.” But time has evolved drastically since then. However, Townsend revealed that her motivation to win titles at a young age was none other than the one who smashed her trophy, Donald Young.
“He’s the reason” – Taylor Townsend reveals special bond with Donald Young
From playing Monopoly together to playing the last tennis match of his career, Donald Young shared a close bond with Taylor Townsend from a young age. Interestingly, besides Young’s father training Townsend to be a successful player, it was also the ATP star himself, who motivated the 28-year-old in her career.
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In an interview ahead of the final match at the US Open, Townsend said, “He’s the reason that I felt like it was possible because I could do this. He’d come back after winning Junior Wimbledon or Junior Australian Open and I’m like, ‘Let me see your trophy, let me touch it‘.” Continuing further, she expressed her desire to keep playing their best once again and win the title together.
Can Townsend and Young do the magic at the US Open? Only time will tell. But what remains certain is a thrilling showdown that is going to unfold at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.